A system communicates packets of data between two computers starting at an initial rate. The system then enters a slow start mode and increases the rate. As the rate increases, the system monitors acknowledgement data indicating a round trip time (RTT) associated with individual packets. When the RTT meets or exceeds a threshold, the system exits the slow start mode and continues the background connection a selected rate. The selected rate is based on the acknowledgement data associated with one or more packets having an RTT that meet or exceed the threshold. The features disclosed herein mitigate some of the issues with the LEDBAT protocol and other congestion control techniques, some which may include queue overflows and unnecessary slowdowns.